A woman was shot in the arm by a stray bullet from a nearby shootout as she was walking with friends just outside Pike Place Market early Saturday, police said.

The drama unfolded at about 12:15 a.m. Saturday as officers patrolling in the area heard shots fired in the area of First Avenue and Pike Street, said Det. Mark Jamieson of the Seattle Police.

Several officers responded, and the first officer on scene found a 23-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her forearm. The officer applied first aid and called for Seattle Fire Department medics.

Witnesses told investigating officers that two men were crossing Second Avenue from Pike when they began arguing. One of the men pulled out a handgun and began shooting at the other. It is also believed that the second man pulled out his own gun and fired back, Jamieson said.

The victim, who was with her friends at the northeast corner of First Avenue and Pike Street getting ready to cross the street, was struck in the forearm by a stray bullet from the shootout.

Witnesses provided good descriptions of the shooters to officers, and a suspect was stopped in the parking lot to the north of the incident. That person had a gun and was taken into custody.

A detective later found a gun in the alley between Second and Third Avenues, and a second suspect was eventually located in a parking garage near Second Avenue and Pike Street.

The two suspects, ages 18 and 21, were taken to police headquarters and later booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault, gun violations and drug violations, Jamieson said.